MARION COUNTY — A date has been set on a hearing for summary judgment in the case of Centralia mayor-elect Bryan Kuder – one month after nominating petitions start circulating for the election to fill the seat taken from him last year.

Kuder’s attorneys have filed a motion in Marion County Court seeking summary judgment in their client’s favor – a ruling that would place Kuder in the Mayor’s seat just weeks after nominating petitions begin circulating for the Centralia mayor’s seat currently held by Herb Williams.

Kuder won the election in April 2019 but then-City Manager Dan Ramey brought information to the City Council claiming Kuder was ineligible to serve as he did not live within the city limits.

Despite Kuder providing proof of living in an apartment within the city limits, the city council voted to vacate Kuder’s election and then appointed Williams to serve as mayor.

Kuder subsequently filed a suit in Marion County Court seeking a judgment declaring him the duly elected and qualified Mayor of Centralia.

On Monday, the judge in the case set a September 25 date to hear the motion for summary judgment in the case.

The City of Centralia announced last week that nominating petitions for the April election can start being circulated on August 25. The election will be for the two years remaining for the mayor’s seat and two four-year city council seats.

Kuder has previously indicated he will circulate petitions for the unexpired term on the mayor’s seat if the judge has not ruled in his favor.